TURF Moor secretary John Howarth today put the blame firmly on Grimsby Town for a simmering row over the lack of concessionary prices for Burnley fans at Blundell Park.

And he said that the fault was caused by Grimsby's lack of organisation.

Mr Howarth also strenuously contested claims that Burnley's decision to claim a 10 per cent 'handling charge' from Grimsby, for selling their tickets at Turf Moor, was behind the problem.

The situation became apparent when a member of the Clarets Independent Supporters Association (CISA) contacted Grimsby to complain that he had been forced to buy tickets in home sections in order to get the benefit of concessionary prices for the game at Blundell Park on Saturday, November 22.

Grimsby chief executive Ian Fleming wrote back to him saying:

"With regards to concessions, we entirely agree with your sentiments.

"However due to Burnley Football Club imposing an unrealistic 10 per cent handling charge for selling our tickets we were unable to offer reduced admission for juniors or senior citizens.

"I can confirm that concessions would have been otherwise available to your supporters."

The letter was passed on to Angus Williamson, secretary and treasurer of the Clarets Independent Supporters Association, who wrote to Mr Howarth to express the fans' concern. Mr Williamson said in his letter: "I am sure you would confirm that the information provided hardly places our club in the best light, with the handling charge on the high side for Grimsby.

"A modest handling charge, I would suspect, would be accepted by most but not when it directly affects those least able to pay it, ie juniors and oaps."

Mr Williamson said the implication was that a Burnley policy decision had had a direct impact on increasing charges for its own fans at an away ground.

But Mr Howarth leapt to the club's defence.

He said: "Three weeks prior to the match we had to contact Grimsby when normal procedure meant they should have contacted us.

"Then, 10 days prior to the fixture, they said there would be 1,800 places available and that they would be installing another 400 - which didn't happen.

"It wasn't until the Monday prior to the Saturday fixture that they then told us all tickets would be £12 and we were faced with selling 1,800 tickets at such a late stage. "We even had to meet them on the motorway to pick up the tickets. Their organisation was not very satisfactory at all."

As for the 10 per cent handling charge, Mr Howarth said this was now a Football League regulation, allowing visiting clubs to charge 10 per cent on tickets they sold.

This is to cover extra expenses incurred by the visiting club such as extra ticket office staff.

He explained that Burnley had been the victims of a bad experience involving another Second Division club on this subject and, after careful consideration, had decided to implement the rule.

"We probably have the best away following in the division. We take a lot of supporters and believe we deserve to make this handling charge which is covered by Football League rules," he added.

Meanwhile, Chris Waddle is hoping that several niggling injury problems will clear up in training this week.

They include Paul Weller, whose hamstring tightened after last Friday's private practice match against Sheffield Wednesday, and Gerry Harrison, who had a slight back strain following the same game.

"We are hoping everyone will be fit to join in training. The injuries seem to be more niggly than anything else," said the player-manager.

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